31.7.15

Taipei Zoo also started with the Japanese, that had the control of Taiwan from 1895 to 1945. It was founded in 1914, in Yuanshan Mountain (Maruyama i.e. round mountain in Japanese) on the north of Taipei. At the beginning it was not public, but the Mr Oe's private zoological garden. One year later, the Japanese government decided to buy the property and open it to the public.

24.7.15

Everyone heard about the cat cafés in Tokyo, I think we showed you a couple of them [here] and [there]. These are places where you can go and pet them, in a place decorated like a huge living room. I always felt that the reason for all these cozy cafés to mushroom in the city (with or without animals) is the square meter price in Tokyo, that makes it more or less impossible to have a huge home. So people leave the house, seraching for somewhere to study, read, hang out or relax in a less cramped atmosphere.

23.7.15

Anime is often the trigger for many of us to start loving Japan from early age. I grew up with Ranma 1/2, Sailor Moon, Marmalade Boy, Evangelion and decided that my dream was to visit Japan. Still, neither anime nor manga are dead, but consumed by people of any age, gender and taste. From porn, through fantasy to gay thematic, there is something for you - provided you have the patience to browse the store and the ability to read Japanese. You can buy manga in many places, but what made Mandarake famous are the vintage and second hand items for sale. From last year's anime to 50 year old Godzilla figures, there are cheap and very expensive things. Even if you buy nothing, even if you are not into manga... Mandarake is a pretty cool stop on your walk around Shibuya.

22.7.15

I am a big fan of walking the city simply because it is a good way to unveil the different sides of a metropolis as you discover the place step by step. There are scary, strange, crazy and charming places that may not make it to the top 10, but will always have a special place in your mind. Simply because the unexpected is often the most memorable.

16.7.15

Sometimes you come back to a place to realize a huge - yet somewhat sudden - change. This was more or less my feeling the day I jumped off the train on a shopping spree mission. At the exit of the train station there is this map of buildings, featuring Doota, Migliore and other malls I've heard of. But then, what is that humongous blob that is taking over an entire block? Dongdaemun Design Plaza?

15.7.15

Korea is a land of meat. If you are into fish, this definitely not the best place for you - even though alternatives like my beloved Bibimbap「비빔밥」can definitely help you out there. During our first night in Seoul, the guys told me to bring them to a place with "local food" so we landed on a korean barbecue place, obviously.

I used to believe that Bulgogi - literally fire meat - was a generic term referring to Korean barbecue (same as yakiniku in Japanese) but the reality is that it refers to marinated beef (excluding ribs that are called Galbi 「갈비」) which is often cooked in steel structure placed on top of the table grill. It is typically served along rice, soup and banchan「반찬」- a variety of side dishes, often vegetables with a twist of sesame oil.

14.7.15

I remember the first time I visited Seoul with somewhat scary clarity. Guess it was such an important experience, that my brain recorded it with full detail. Sunday morning and I started walking away from Renaissance and getting lost in Gangnam. Among the skyscrapers and fancy malls, old temples, royal parks and mausoleums mushroom along the way, with the same charm experienced in Central Tokyo. Modern and old, new wave and tradition, the city is packed with contrast so I guess that is what makes it so attractive.

13.7.15

What can I say, it's been a shaky Q2. Moving into a new apartment, having Byakko and myself going to the hospital (nothing serious if you wonder... I had a nasty cold and an allergy attack, he ate some rubber sole and eventually manage to get it out of his body without surgery), welcoming family and friends in Malaga and ending up with a 3-week "route of the spices" around my favorite side of the World.